How do I Memorise Songs?

Question

I play keyboards in a band and was told it would be very beneficial to memorise all the songs we play. So far we have 20 songs that we play. I can play them OK with chord sheets but not from memory. Does anyone have any good tips or techniques for memorising tunes?

Thanks in advance

Andy

Answer 1

Play them again and again. Rote learning is the only effective way - trust me, I've played the piano for 33 years (the classical route for the first 13 years - exams, concerts, the whole kit and caboodle.) Some people like to remember songs by the sound, but this isn't ideal. When everyone is playing and singing different harmonies, the sounds and rhythms they are making can throw you off.

I used to practice (both set pieces and exercises/scales) for 3 hours every day - after a while, I could play an entire Mozart sonata while reading a novel. This way, your hands work automatically, freeing your mind for other things, like singing, keeping up with everyone else, dancing around the stage, etc. This is how professional musicians can get up to all kinds of antics on stage without completely messing up the song. You can't play off the audience if you can't let yourself concentrate on the audience instead of the music.

At first, it will be difficult. Then it will get boring - especially if you're only playing harmony. Eventually, your mind will go numb - this is when it all happens. I know it sounds like a lot of work - and it IS a lot of work - but this is how to make it happen. And once your mind gets used to it, it will happen for you faster and faster as you learn each new piece of music.

Incidentally, I haven't played much classical piano for a few years now (mainly jazz, and a little rock), so I thought I'd give it a try again. It all came back as if I had last played it a week ago. This means that once you have learned to play it automatically, it never seems to get forgotten. This is how bands can play stuff from their first album after 40 years - they can pretty much remember all their songs from every album. All it takes is a quick practice session to polish it up.

Good luck!

Answer 2

It all comes with practise and more practise mate. Once you are familiar with each song by following the chord sheets it will soon come where you dont need them at all. You need to persevere and keep playing the tunes over and over again. I play the piano and the same thing goes with that, once I have played a tune long enough with the sheet music it soon comes naturally without. Good Luck xx

Answer 3

I don't know. I have that same problem too, I play guitar though. But I find that that sometimes I accidently memorise the songs when I keep playing them over and over again, with and without the chord sheets. Try singing along when your playing, even if your not exactly a singer.

Answer 4

What works for me is first I play them with the words and music. After a bit I put away the music sheets and attempt to do them from memory. When doing this... keep going even if you forget some stuff or make mistakes. After you finish the song, try to remember what you forgot and then after that, check with the music to see. Then try it again, and again and after a short while you seem to remember the stuff you forgot without even thinking about it. But from here on out, don't use the music while you are playing. Only refer to it afterwards.
Also, whatever I'm doing throughout the day or night, I play the song in my head.
After awhile, you can't forget the songs if you tried.
Practice and repetition burns it into your brain.

Answer 5

I play bass in a band and i memorise them by playing bit by bit over and over again and then the whole song over and over then you can play the keys without even looking, trust me it's a good technique.

Hope I Helped
Danny :)

Answer 6

I played the E flat bass in bands and still occasionally dabble on my recorders. I can still play a Beethoven sonatina I learnt when I was 15 flawlessly over 25 years later. There's only one way to do it and that's the hard slog. Practice, practice and practice. The more you play a piece, the more familiar it will become.

Answer 7

One way is to play it with the sheet music over and over. Than work on one measure at a time and ween yourself off of the sheet music. It sounds redundant, but it's a way to make muscle memory. Believe me, muscle memory has saved my butt millions of times. I hope that helps!!!! Ciao!!!!

Answer 8

A good technique is to record the song, and listen to it... over and over and over. :)
This way you'll learn the song not only in the first person, but also in the third person. Memorizing twice as fast.
At least it works for me.

Answer 9

if you're a good musician you just need to memorise the first tone and the strumming thing like in the guitar...and better if you'll gonna practice it without looking at the lyrics

Answer 10

first, you must memorize the tune,, when you have already memorized the tune of the song,, the lyrics & the chords will be much easier to recall when you play it.=) It works for me=) i hope it will work to you too! =)